Sensuous, fashionable, beautiful, alluring: a gorgeously presented book that explores lingerie past and present.

The intimate apparel business is undergoing major technological change. New measurement and design techniques, combined with innovative materials and production methods, are transforming the range, quality and applications of women's lingerie. This important book provides an authoritative review of these developmentsAfter an introductory chapter on the concept of body beauty, a first group of chapters discuss innovations in the manufacture of brassieres, including developments in breast measurement and sizing, innovations in bra design and improvements in bra pattern technology. The following sequence of chapters reviews key developments in girdles. Topics discussed include innovations in girdle design and use and research on the physiological effects of body shapers. The book concludes by assessing developments in intimate apparel with special functions such as sports bras, and innovation in knitted and seamless intimate apparel.Innovation and technology of women's intimate apparel is a standard reference for designers and engineers working in this important area of the textile industry. - Reviews the technological and innovative developments of ladies intimate apparel - Describes the research principles and scientific understandings of size, materials, pattern and fit to achieve functional and technical design - Written by leading experts in the field

Presents the history of twentieth-century lingerie. This book examines the ways cultural meanings are orchestrated by the 'fashion-industrial complex, ' and the ways in which individuals and groups embrace, reject, or derive meaning from these everyday, yet significant, intimate articles of clothing.

"Exposed: a history of lingerie" traces developments in intimate apparel from the eighteenth century to the present. There are two types of lingerie, hard and soft. Hard lingerie includes corsets, bustles, and structured bras, whiile soft lingerie consists of unstructured garments, such as slips, nightgowns, and panties. "Exposed" begins with a sky blue corset and ends with a sapphire blue bra and panty set from luxury label La Perla..."--from exhibition flyer.

For most of human history, the garments women wore under their clothes were hidden. The earliest underwear provided warmth and protection. But eventually, women's undergarments became complex structures designed to shape their bodies to fit the fashion ideals of the time. In the modern era, undergarments are out in the open, from the designer corsets Madonna wore on stage to Beyoncé's pregnancy announcement on Instagram. This feminist exploration of women's underwear reveals the intimate role lingerie plays in defining women's bodies, sexuality, gender identity, and body image. It is a story of control and restraint but also female empowerment and self-expression. You will never look at underwear the same way again.

Since its release in 1980, The Lingerie Book has drawn thousands of captivated readers, both men and women, into the secret boudoirs of the 20th century. The book captures women's most intimate apparel, decade by decade, since 1900, and its photos show top models in authentic period lingerie. 90 photos.

French women seem inherently more confident in their bodies, able to embrace the sensuality of life and love. What's their secret? Lingerie. Yet, despite an insatiable curiosity for all things French, most women still find lingerie an enigma, a tangled mélange of silk and lace, and are confused about how, when, and where to wear it. (Hint: it's not just for special occasions.) Many aspire to having a drawer full of silky, lacy undergarments, but have no idea where to start: How should my bra fit? How exactly do I wear a garter belt? Do bras and knickers always have to match? With illustrations by French lingerie designer Paloma Casile, Paris Undressed: The Secrets of French Lingerie will help women feel at ease with their figures and show them how to integrate a lingerie lifestyle à la française to enhance their own femininity, confidence, and joie de vivre. It will transform the way women perceive their undergarments - and their bodies - and reveal how to co-ordinate a lingerie wardrobe to reflect personality and to meet lifestyle needs with the right dose of reverie. The book also includes a hand-selected guide to the most confidential addresses and lingerie boutiques in Paris, and discloses where to find the perfect bra, couture camisole or cheeky knicker. Paris Undressed goes behind the seams, combining cultural references, expertise, and practical advice to inspire every woman to reconsider her underwear drawer.